Here we are in October. The weather has finally cooled off. I can't believe how nice it feels to actually have 75-degree weather! Life is...interesting.

School is still going ok for me. It is up and down for the kids. The big thing on our mind right now is autism. To be more specific, autistic and pervasive developmental disorders. Why? Well, this week was a double-header for us. On Thursday, we had the staffing for Liam's Pupil Appraisal evaluation. (The staffing is the meeting where the parent finds out all the results of the testing and the child's classification is determined.) The results were pretty much as I expected: language delays, fine motor delays, and the like. I was pleasantly surprised at the fact that his gross motor skills have not only caught up to level, but actually advanced! He's doing great in that area. The other surprise was not so pleasant. They did several autism rating scales. When they initially mentioned them, I wasn't expecting much to come of it, because Liam has made so much progress in the last 18 months of intervention. Thus, I was totally floored when they announced his "Educational Classification" as Autism. Granted, when looking at the criteria, he more than meets them. (official Louisiana criteria) It still was shocking. I mean, I was expecting perhaps a mild form of PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder), but to see the black-and-white was just unnerving. I was proud of myself. I totally kept my cool in the meeting. They seemed to think I would break down and cry or something. That's not typically my style. I don't usually let stuff get to me until the kids are settled and I'm alone.

Anyway, as if that wasn't interesting enough, our visit with Breanna's psychiatrist on Friday yielded yet another surprise. Apparently, the anxiety that we have been unable to control through behavioral, environmental, and medication management is likely a result of PDD. There's THAT word again. Extremely simplified, PDD means that the child has autistic traits without having full-blown autism. So, the doctor recommended a few things and then added a medication they use in children with PDD to help with the anxiety. One dose and we knew we were on the right track. So, on top of everything else, two of my three children have these autistic traits. What can I say to that? I'm still in the "numb-not-sure-what-to-think" stage of things.

We will go have our intake visit with the specialist for Pervasive Developmental Disorders on Thursday, regarding Liam. I guess we'll go from there and get a more exact diagnosis. Breanna will see the same doctor as well. Maybe, just maybe this will be the key to helping get things on track. It certainly explains why none of the approaches we have tried so far have worked. We've been scratching our heads in confusion along with our medical team these last 8 months or so...any answers are welcome at this point.

Poor Brennalyn is still stuck in the middle. She tries so hard. She's doing great in school though, and just yesterday she taught herself how to ride a two-wheeler! We're still working on the turns and starting off, but she's doing great! She also was promoted to Blue Belt and the Intermediate class at Karate! I am so proud of her. Check out Bren's Karate School, Myers Family Karate Center.

Quick Update: December 2002:

Both Breanna and Liam have been officially diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified. PDD-NOS. In other words, they both have autistic disorders. <sigh> Breanna actually is more deeply on the autistic spectrum than Liam, in part to her bipolar disorder and in part to the fact that Liam has had LOADS of early intervention. He now gets Speech Therapy 4 times a week, plus Special Education preschool 5 days a week. It's crazy. Breanna's bipolar is actually stable right now due to the Lithium, so our main issues right now all relate to the autism. Liam isn't on medication yet. I'm not ready to take that step. His main issues are destructiveness and violence against his sisters. We'll get through the holidays. I am eternally grateful to my online support groups and family, without whom I would not be able to survive.

Oh! How could I forget! James has FINALLY been promoted at Six Flags! He's on salary with benefits!!! Wow, after 5 years, I'll have insurance again. -That- is cool!

@>~~